Survey on Awareness and Usage of Community Pharmacies: Results from a Poll of Approximately 1,000 Men and Women Aged 20 and Over

Solamichi System Inc. (hereinafter "Solamichi System"), provider of the cloud-based electronic medication record system "CARADA Electronic Medication Record Solamichi," and corte Inc. (hereinafter "corte"), provider of the AI-powered medication history support service "corte," conducted a survey titled "Awareness and Actual Usage of Community Pharmacies※1" targeting approximately 1,000 men and women aged 20 and over nationwide.

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is advancing institutional development for "health-promotion support pharmacies" responsible for health consultations and coordination with related organizations※2. Additionally, the upcoming revision of pharmacy reimbursement fees in fiscal year 2026※3 includes reevaluations of face-to-face services and designated pharmacists. As a result, community pharmacies are increasingly expected to support residents' health through continuous medication follow-ups and consultations on health and wellness.

As the expected roles of community pharmacies expand, this press release focuses on the usage status of designated pharmacies and pharmacists, users' perceptions of pharmacies, concerns about medication, and expectations toward pharmacists.

Survey results revealed that one in two people do not have a designated pharmacy or pharmacist, indicating insufficient adoption. Moreover, over 90% perceive pharmacies primarily as places to receive prescription medications, with less than 5% using them for consultation purposes. At the same time, approximately 40% reported experiencing some form of concern or difficulty regarding prescription medication use.

<Summary of Survey Results on Awareness and Usage of Community Pharmacies>

・One in two respondents answered they "do not have" or "have not particularly designated" a designated pharmacy/pharmacist

・Over 90% view community pharmacies as "places to receive prescription medications," while less than 5% use them for consultation purposes

・Approximately 40% have experienced concerns or difficulties regarding prescription medication use

・Nearly 40% were unaware that "medication counseling" is provided, while over 70% of those aware said it was "helpful"

<Survey Overview>

・Survey Period: March 20 (Fri), 2026 – March 23 (Mon), 2026

・Respondents: Men and women aged 20 and over

・Survey Method: Online survey (conducted by PRIZMA Inc.)

・Valid Responses: 1,007

・Definitions in this survey:

"Designated pharmacy": A pharmacy regularly used by the individual, where medication information is continuously managed and consultations and medication management are available

"Designated pharmacist": A system where a specific pharmacist is designated for continuous consultation and medication management

◆ Awareness and Usage of Designated Pharmacies and Pharmacists

― Slightly over 20% know both terms including their meanings; over half have neither a designated pharmacy nor pharmacist

First, respondents were asked whether they were aware of the terms "designated pharmacy" and "designated pharmacist." The response "knew both terms including their meanings" accounted for 24.4%, followed by "did not know" at 24.2%. "Knew the term 'designated pharmacy' with its meaning" was 15.3%, and "have heard of it but don't remember details" was 13.3%, indicating uneven awareness.

When asked whether they currently have a specific "designated pharmacy" or "designated pharmacist," "do not have / have not particularly designated" was the highest at 51.4%, followed by "have a designated pharmacy but no specific pharmacist" at 26.4%, and "have both a designated pharmacy and pharmacist" at 16.8%. While the terms are somewhat recognized, actual usage has not fully taken hold.

Reasons for having a designated pharmacy or pharmacist (multiple responses) included "feeling secure using the same pharmacy and pharmacist" (63.2%), followed by "convenient location from home or hospital" (36.1%), and "they understand my health condition and medication status" (22.5%). Reasons for not having one (multiple responses) included "no need for continuous medication management" (29.2%), "I think services are the same at any pharmacy" (24.8%), and "I only go to receive medication" (22.6%), suggesting users may perceive designated pharmacies and pharmacists as meant only for those on long-term medication or requiring special support.

◆ Usage Purposes of Community Pharmacies and Experiences of Medication Difficulties

― Consultation use of pharmacies remains under 5%, while nearly 40% have experienced medication concerns

Next, respondents were asked when they visit a community pharmacy (multiple responses). "To receive medication from a prescription received at a hospital" was the highest at 91.2%, exceeding 90%.

Meanwhile, "when I want to consult about family members' health or medication" (4.8%), "when I want to consult about my own health or medication" (4.2%), and "when I want advice on health or lifestyle habits" (2.5%) all remained under 5%. This indicates limited use of pharmacies for health consultations, with the primary perception being that pharmacies are "places to receive medication." This suggests that the concept of designated pharmacies and pharmacists has not yet been widely adopted.

When asked whether they had ever experienced difficulties or concerns regarding prescription medication use (multiple responses), approximately 40% reported having such experiences. The most common concern was "worried about side effects" (10.3%), followed by "unclear about timing or frequency of medication" and "concerned about interactions with other medications or supplements" (both 8.0%), suggesting a significant number of people experience concerns during medication use but do not consult.

◆ Awareness and Perceived Usefulness of "Medication Counseling"

― Nearly 40% were unaware that medication counseling is provided, but over 70% of those aware said it was "helpful"

To resolve concerns and questions about medication and ensure safe use, pharmacists are required to provide "medication counseling," explaining proper usage, effects, and precautions regarding side effects. Pharmacists also play a role in supporting personalized medication by checking patients' health conditions, lifestyles, and concomitant medications, beyond simply conveying prescription information.

How aware are users of pharmacists' medication counseling? 62.0% of respondents answered they "knew" that pharmacists provide medication counseling when dispensing prescriptions, while 38.0% answered they "did not know," indicating nearly 40% of users are unaware of this service. It appears that even when receiving explanations, the opportunity to consult about medication concerns is not sufficiently communicated.

Meanwhile, when asked whether they felt medication counseling by pharmacists was "helpful" for their health, over 70% of those who knew about counseling answered it was "helpful" ("very helpful": 16.0%, "somewhat helpful": 56.1%), while slightly over 20% answered it was not ("not very helpful": 18.4%, "not at all helpful": 4.0%).